Environment

Young Global Climate Strikers Vow Change Is Coming

Young global climate strikers vow change is coming – from the streets

A global climate strike by youth protesters on Friday will hit more than 1,400 locations with a message that “change is coming – from the streets”.

The strike is the first such worldwide action since the coronavirus pandemic hit, and is taking place just weeks before the vital Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, UK.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said on Tuesday the world was “seemingly light years away from reaching our targets”.

The youth strikes, along with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather, have been credited with raising the profile of the climate emergency.

In Germany, two days before the general election, mass protests are planned in 420 towns and cities, and Greta Thunberg will address protesters in front of the Bundestag in Berlin.

“It has been a strange year and a half with the pandemic, but the climate crisis is even more urgent than it was before,” said Thunberg, whose solo strike in 2018 inspired the global Fridays for Future movement. “We will go back on the streets now to show that we have not disappeared and that we are demanding climate action and climate justice.”

Luisa Neubauer, from Fridays For Future in Germany, said: “Change is going to come but it is going to come from the streets. We will make sure that this message is out there on the 24th.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said the world’s carbon emissions must fall by half by 2030 to keep global heating below 1.5C, the limit countries agreed to strive for in 2015 in Paris.

But the UN reported on 17 September that current pledges from countries would lead to a 16% rise in the next decade.

There have been some positive moves in recent days, with China saying it will end its financing for highly polluting coal-fired power stations abroad – though not at home – and the US doubling its climate finance to vulnerable nations. This funding helps rich countries move towards delivery of the $100bn a year promised a decade ago, which is seen as critical for the success of COP26.

But Vanessa Nakate, a youth striker from the Rise Up Movement in Uganda, said: “The $100bn is the first step to correcting climate injustice. It was like countries finally looked up and saw the suffering and devastation that was going on in countries like mine because of the climate crisis. The most disturbing thing about this, though, is that it has not been delivered.”

Protesters in Mexico will assemble in front of the National Palace in Mexico City to demand that the state oil company Pemex presents a plan to decarbonise, while in Bangladesh activists will demand the scrapping of planned new coal and gas power stations. Demonstrations will also take place in 12 cities in South Africa, 64 towns and cities in Canada, at least 12 cities in Argentina, and in many other places.

“The global north should be developing climate policies that have at their core climate justice and accountability to the most affected people and areas,” said Valentina Ruas, from Brazil. “Instead, they continue to exploit vulnerable communities and recklessly extract fossil fuel, while bragging about their insignificant emission reduction plans.”.

The UK is the host of Cop26 and, in Parliament Square in London on Friday youth protesters will be joined by trade unions and environmental groups.

Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson said: “We know that another world is possible. Our government has the solutions and it has the money yet it is actively choosing not to act on climate but to prioritise the will of fossil fuel lobbyists.”

Parent climate activists are also supporting the youth strikers. Ana Ancines, from Parents For Future Colombia, said “All parents need to unite to guarantee the young generation’s future. In Latin America, we have to defend the Amazon, our natural reserves and water. I’m concerned about my kids and your kids’ future and this is why we are joining young climate activists.”

Environment

NiMet predicts dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Wednesday in Abuja envisaged a slight dust haze on Thursday in good visibility throughout the forecast period in the northern region.

The agency said that North central states are expected to experience slight dust haze in good visibility throughout the forecast period.

It envisaged moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period in the southern parts of the country.

According to it, early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas are expected.

For Thursday, NiMet said a slight dust haze is expected throughout the forecast period in the northern region.

It added that the North central region should be in a slight dust haze throughout the forecast period.

It further stated that in the South, moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected throughout the forecast period.

The agency predicted moderate dust haze in the northern region on Friday with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period.

According to NiMet, the North Central should be in moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km during the forecast period.

It envisaged early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas of the country while slight dust haze in patches of clouds are expected over the region during the afternoon and evening periods.

NiMet added that dust particles are in suspension and the public should take necessary precaution.

It advised airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from it for effective planning

Environment

NEMA warns against bush burning in Harmattan period

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned members of the public against bush burning during the harmattan period to avoid the destruction of property and loss of life.

DAILY POST reports that the NEMA Head of Operations, Edo Office, Ojuedene Kenoma, gave the warning at the training of officials of local governments and volunteers in Edo State on disaster prevention, response, and control measures.

Kenoma said the training was aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, response, and recovery at the grassroots level.

He opined that disasters such as tanker accidents, fire outbreaks, or other emergencies do not wait for the opportune moment.

“It is essential that “we foster a culture of preparedness, awareness, and response across every level of society, especially at the grassroots level.”

“This workshop is a critical step toward empowering our communities with the knowledge and tools they need to respond to disasters.”

“By training and mobilising volunteers within these communities, our Director-General Zubaida Umar is building a network of emergency responders who can take swift and effective action when emergencies arise.”

“The workshop is aimed at raising public awareness, particularly around the high risks associated with tanker accidents and fire outbreaks, both of which present significant challenges in Edo State,” he said.

He further explained that NEMA is taking disaster management to the grassroots by training local government officials and volunteers at the grassroots level.

He added that the agency expects the participants to cascade the training down to the grassroots and sensitise the local population on how to prevent and respond to fire incidents.

One of the resource persons, Superintendent Asimu Sumaila, in his lecture that safety is everybody’s responsibility and that the knowledge of fire one has determines the chance of survival when it happens.

Sumaila explained that 80 per cent of fire incidents happen as a result of carelessness and negligence by individuals.

He said that in fighting fire disasters, one has to know the right solution to use, as using the wrong solution can create more problems.

He stated that the solution to extinguish ordinary fire is different from PMS (petrol) fire.

“Most people leave their houses without removing appliances from the socket or turning them off, and while burning refuse, people will not be there to control it. The embers from that fire can flow in different directions and ignite fires elsewhere,” he said.

He, however, cautioned the people against leaving their appliances on when leaving home and against bush burning, especially near residential areas, as it can destroy houses and result in loss of lives.

Environment

NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine and dust haze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted weather conditions featuring sunshine, dust haze, and isolated thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook, NiMet predicted slight dust haze for the northern region on Monday, with localized visibility expected to range from 2 to 5 kilometers throughout the day.

The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with a hazy atmosphere, while the southern region will see sunny skies with patches of clouds. Thunderstorms and light rains are anticipated in parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states during the afternoon and evening hours.

On Tuesday, November 26, moderate dust haze is forecasted for the northern region, with localized visibility potentially dropping below 1,000 meters. Slight dust haze is expected in the North Central region, while the southern region is likely to experience sunny skies with scattered clouds. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms, accompanied by light rains, are expected in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

NiMet’s outlook for Wednesday, November 27, indicates continued moderate dust haze in the northern region, with localized visibility below 1,000 meters. The North Central region will experience slight dust haze, with visibility between 2 to 5 kilometers. The southern region is forecasted to have sunny skies with patches of clouds and potential thunderstorms with light rains in parts of Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency cautioned the public about suspended dust particles and advised individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to take precautions during this period.

NiMet also warned of strong winds potentially accompanying thunderstorms in some areas, urging residents to stay safe and adhere to weather advisories.

Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning.